How to Rock This Hotline Bling-Inspired Braid
We’re loving us some Drake always/especially right now — yes, those infamous Hotline Bling dance moves included — which is exactly why we were inspired to add in some serious bounce to an otherwise standard holiday ‘do: the crown braid. The fact that this half-up hairstyle has so much volume in it totally transforms its silhouette and instantly takes it to the next level. The best part about this look is that you won’t have to spend a ton of time primping in front of the mirror before your holiday soiree. It only takes about five minutes to do, so you’ll have plenty of time to bust out some champagne and get down the dance floor. Now, if only rocking this style meant we would get a call (on our cell phone, duh) from Champagne Papi himself!
STEP 1: BUILD VOLUME
Start by adding in a ton of volume and lift to the roots of your hair with a product like Not Your Mother’s Double Take Dry Finish Texture Spray ($10). Spray the texturizer all over your roots, concentrating most on the crown of your head.
Tease your hair at the base of your crown with a brush that’s designed to add lots of body to your locks, like the Marilyn Teaser Brush ($16). Pro tip: Using a professional teasing comb will not only cause less damage to your hair, but will also provide long-lasting volume with hardly any effort. Look for a natural boar bristle brush with a long handle for more control.
Next, take the top section of your crown that you just teased and twist it toward the back of your head.
Pin the twisted piece down. Focus on lifting and pinning just your crown area and leave the sides of your hair out. This simple step will have you ready to bust a move in no time, because now you’ve got effortless volume that everyone will notice. This trick also helps your hair look fuller at the sides when rocking a half-up do.
STEP 2: BRAID THE SIDES
Add in traditional three-stranded braids on the left and right sides of your hair.
After that, pancake each braid. Pancaking is a method to thicken up a braid by tugging at the strands to widen the look of the plaits. To add even more oomph and texture, we roughed up each braid with a rat tail comb (one like this works perfectly).
Then, connect both braids in the back and use the same rat tail comb to gently tease out your hair for some retro volume!
STEP 3: ADD BLINGY BOUNCE
Break out that texturizing spray and douse individual strands at the front of your face for bounce, body and enviable texture.
Lastly, add a loose braid in the front to casually peek out when you bust a move on the dance floor! Remember to pancake your braid slightly and add some of your trusty texturizing spray to finish it off.
Now whip your hair back and forth!
*Living* for five-minute ways to take your hair to the next level? Follow us on Pinterest for more easy hairstyle tutorials.
Hair and Art Direction by Maritza Buelvas
Photography by Jennifer Coffey
Modeling by Willow Star
Location Beauty for Bloggers Studio
